Method for outputting design drawing of block object

Abstract

To provide a method for making it easy for a user to assemble a block object using block parts.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of a plurality of kinds of block parts that can be assembled by a processing part of a server terminal connected to a user terminal through a network. The processing part of the server terminal acquires information on block parts from the user terminal. A block object that can be assembled is determined on the basis of the information on the block parts. Design drawing information on the block object and the information on the block parts are displayed. The design drawing information on the block object is updated, the information on the block parts is updated on the basis of the updated design drawing information, and the information on the updated block parts is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object.

Background Art

[0002] Toys in which users assemble block object models such as animals, buildings, vehicles, etc. using block parts like Lego bricks are widespread.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a method for improving the efficiency of designing block parts constituting a block object is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although it is possible to achieve the improvement in efficiency and visualization of the design of block parts by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, from the user's perspective, a method for visualizing the image of assembling a block object is not disclosed.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for facilitating the assembly of a block object by a user using block parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of multiple types of block parts, which can be assembled, is performed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the processing unit of the server terminal obtains information about block parts from the user terminal, determines an assembleable block object based on the information about block parts, displays design drawing information for the block object and information about the block parts, updates the design drawing information for the block object, updates the information about block parts based on the updated design drawing information, and displays the updated information about block parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a method can be provided that makes it easier for users to assemble block objects using block parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a system that provides a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 100. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 200. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of object model information stored in server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of block part information stored in server 100. [Figure 6] This is an example flowchart illustrating the details of a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, for inputting information about the user's block parts. [Figure 8]This is an example of a screen displaying information about block parts on a user terminal, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an example of a screen displaying design drawing information on a user terminal 200, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal to update information about block parts, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an example of a screen that displays an assembleable object model on a user terminal, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Structure> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a system that provides a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 consists of a server terminal 100 that generates block object design information based on coordinate information of block parts acquired from a user terminal 200 or a sensor device 300, and user terminals 200A and 200B associated with each user who assembles the block object. For the sake of convenience, hereafter, user terminals 200A and 200B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200.

[0012] In this embodiment, an animal object is used as an example of a block object composed of multiple block parts. However, other examples include people, robots, vehicles, and buildings, and the example is not limited to this one.

[0013] The server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200 are each connected via the network NW. The network NW is composed of the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0014] The server terminal 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing. In the present embodiment, one server terminal is illustrated for convenience of explanation, but it is not limited thereto, and a plurality of server terminals may be provided.

[0015] The user terminal 200 is, for example, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal, but may be configured by a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the system 1 includes the server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200, and will be described as a configuration in which a user operates on the server terminal 100 using the user terminal 200. However, the server terminal 100 may be configured as a stand-alone device, and each user may be provided with a function to directly perform operations on the server terminal itself.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 in FIG. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0018] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0019] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has an object model information storage unit 121 for storing information related to the object model, etc., and a block part information storage unit 122 for storing block part information generated based on the object model, etc. A database (not shown) storing various data may be built outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0020] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives information such as instructions from the user terminal 200, an object model information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various information related to the object model, a block part information processing unit 133 that refers to and processes various information related to block parts, and an output processing unit 134 that processes and transmits design drawing information related to block objects to the user terminal for output. The information receiving unit 131, object model information processing unit 132, block part information processing unit 133, and output processing unit 134 are started by a program stored in the memory unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic computer).

[0021] The information receiving unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200 when the user makes a predetermined request (by entering text, pressing an icon, etc.) via a user interface such as a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 through a web browser or application, provided by the server terminal 100, or receives coordinate information of block parts generated by the sensor device 300 via the user terminal 200 and the communication unit 110.

[0022] The object model processing unit 132 stores information related to the object model in the object model information storage unit 121 and performs processing to refer to the stored object model information.

[0023] The block part information processing unit 133 stores information related to block parts in the block part information storage unit 122 and performs processing to refer to the stored block part information.

[0024] The output processing unit 134 performs the process of sending necessary information to the user terminal 200 in order to display design drawing information related to block objects on the user terminal 200. In this process, the output processing unit 134 uses the image and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as material and, based on predetermined layout rules, arranges various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface to generate the screen information necessary to be displayed on the interface of the user terminal 200. This screen information generation process can also be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0025] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 200 in Figure 1. The user terminal 200 comprises a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0026] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via a network NW, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication unit 210 may also be equipped with a communication interface for communicating with the sensor device 300 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0027] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used to display text, images, etc., in response to user input and input data from the control unit 240. If the user terminal 200 is a personal computer, it consists of a display and a keyboard or mouse; if the user terminal 200 is a smartphone or tablet, it consists of a touch panel, etc. This display operation unit 220 is activated by a control program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the user terminal 200, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0028] The memory unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The memory unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communications with the server terminal 100.

[0029] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 by executing programs stored in the memory unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the server terminal 100 may be configured to include display and operation functions, in which case the user terminal 200 may not be included.

[0031] Figure 4 shows an example of object model information stored in server 100.

[0032] The object model information 1000 shown in Figure 4 stores information related to object models generated by service operators associated with server terminal 100 or users associated with user terminal 200. In Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, an example of one object model (a user identified by object ID "10001") is shown, but information for multiple object models can be stored. Various data related to the object model can include 3D model data of the object model, cross-sectional data of the object model, data related to one or more types and quantities of block parts necessary to assemble the object model, and design drawing information related to block parts arranged in each layer of the cross-section. Here, the 3D model data can also be stored as 2D model data converted into a 3D model through a predetermined process.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an example of block part information stored in server 100.

[0034] The block part information 2000 shown in Figure 5 stores information related to the shape, size, color, and weight of the block part. In Figure 5, for the sake of explanation, an example of one block part (a block part identified by ID "20001") is shown, but information related to multiple block parts can be stored. Various data related to block parts can include, for example, data related to block parts that correspond to components used to assemble a block object (consisting of the shape, size, color, and number of each block part). Here, each of multiple types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but is not limited to this.

[0035] Figure 6 is an example of a flowchart showing a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As a preliminary step, the user accesses the server terminal 100 using the web browser on the user terminal 200 or (if an application is installed) an application. A predetermined screen is displayed on the user interface via the website or application. The user activates the camera (not shown) on the user terminal 200 and takes a picture of a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code®) printed on a package (e.g., a bucket, bag, etc.) containing multiple (same or different) block parts in front of the user. Alternatively, the user prepares individual block parts in front of them.

[0037] Then, as part of the processing in step S101, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives information about block parts from the user terminal 200 via the network and communication unit 110. Here, the server terminal 100 receives a request to transition to a link destination generated when the user scans a two-dimensional code. The link destination is associated with the package ID, information about the shape, color, etc., and quantity of each of the multiple block parts corresponding to the package ID, which are stored as block part data 2000 in the block part information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120. Each time the user scans a two-dimensional code printed on one or more packages with the camera of the user terminal 200 and selects a link displayed on the user terminal 200, a request to transition to the link destination is sent from the user terminal 200 to the server terminal 100. Alternatively, the user selects the product number of the package containing the block parts they have (for example, "bucketA" in Figure 7(a)) on the user interface displayed on the user terminal 200, and information about that package is sent to the server terminal 100. Alternatively, the user can count the individual block parts they have and input that number on the user interface displayed on the user terminal 200, as shown in Figure 7(b). This information about the number of block parts is then sent to the server terminal 100.

[0038] Next, as part of step S102, the block part information processing unit 133 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the block part data 2000 each time it receives information about the block parts that have been received, updates the information about the block parts corresponding to the package (shape, color, number of block parts, etc.), and the user determines that this is the information about the block parts they have on hand.

[0039] Next, as part of step S103, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 generates information regarding the shape, color, number, etc., of each block part in order to display the information about the block parts that was updated and determined in the previous step on the user terminal 200, and performs output processing. When the server terminal 100 receives information about multiple packages from the user terminal 200, it generates information about the shape and color of the block parts corresponding to each package, and also generates information about the sum of the numbers.

[0040] Figure 8 is an example of a screen displaying information about block parts on a user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the user terminal 200 displays information about the shape, color, and number of block parts as "blocks owned by the user".

[0041] Next, as part of step S104, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines the assembleable block objects based on the determined block part information. Here, the block object information processing unit 132 refers to the object model data 1000 stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 and determines the assembleable block objects based on the determined block part information. If multiple block objects can be assembled based on the determined block parts, multiple block objects can be determined and proposed to the user terminal 200 as multiple assembleable block objects. The user can then select the desired block object from among the multiple assembleable block objects. Here, the user can also, without following this step, pre-select the block object they want to assemble and then send information about the number of block parts they have on hand to the server terminal 100. In that case, as shown in Figure 8, information about the type, color, and number of block parts required to assemble the selected block object can be displayed as "Blocks to use in this design," and information about missing block parts based on the registered block part information can be displayed as "Missing blocks."

[0042] Next, as part of step S105, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 displays the design information corresponding to the determined block object. The object model information processing unit 132 refers to the object model data 1000 stored in the object model information storage unit 121, identifies the 3D model data corresponding to the block object, and displays the 3D model of the block object, in which each of the multiple layers is composed of one or more types of block parts, as design information. The design information can be displayed for each layer from the bottom to the top, and initially, the design information for the bottom layer, in a state where no block parts are used, is displayed. At this point, since no block parts are used, information about all the block parts (shape, color, number) available to the user is displayed as information about the block parts. Figure 9 is an example of the design information displayed on the user terminal 200.

[0043] Next, as part of step S106, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 updates the design drawing information corresponding to the block object determined above. At this point, the user assembles the block object based on the block parts they have on hand, while referring to the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200. When a user completes the assembly of a block object, and performs a predetermined operation on the screen displayed on the user terminal 200 (for example, a request to display design information corresponding to the completed form of the block object, or inputting or selecting an operation indicating that the assembly of the block object is complete on a screen like the one shown in Figure 10(a) (for example, selecting "Assembly Complete!"), a request to update the design information is sent from the user terminal 200 to the server terminal 100. The object model information processing unit 132 of the server terminal 100 then refers to the object model data 1000 and generates design information corresponding to the completed form of the block object (or the state in which block parts are arranged from the bottom layer to the top layer). At this point, if the user requests to display a design diagram of the block parts in an in-progress state by scrolling a predetermined bar on the design information displayed on the user terminal 200, the design information can be updated to correspond to the in-progress state of the block parts (for example, the state in which block parts have been assembled from the bottom layer to the Nth layer).

[0044] Next, as part of step S107, the block part information processing unit 133 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the object model data 1000 and the block part data 2000 and performs an update process for information about block parts by subtracting the number of each block part used to assemble the object model from the number of each block part determined in step S102. Here, when a user requests to display a design drawing of a block part in an in-progress state of assembly, for example by performing a scroll operation of a predetermined bar as shown in Figures 9(a) to (c) of the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200, the system can also perform an update process for information about block parts by subtracting the number of each block part used in the in-progress state of assembly (for example, the state where block parts have been assembled from the bottom layer to the Nth layer) from the number of each block part determined in step S102.

[0045] Next, as part of step S108, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 generates information regarding the shape, color, quantity, etc., of each block part in order to display the information about the block parts that was updated and determined in the previous step on the user terminal 200, and performs output processing. For example, as shown in Figure 10(b), it processes the display of the quantity of each block part that was updated in the previous step. Here, as shown in Figure 11(a), based on the updated information about the type, color, and quantity of each block part, it is also possible to display on the user terminal 200 information about block objects that can be assembled with the block parts that the user possesses, and / or, as shown in Figure 11(b), information about block objects that can be assembled by adding a predetermined type, color, and quantity to the block parts currently possessed.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, the number of block parts stored in each package and / or the total number thereof can be automatically counted and displayed to the user without requiring the user to count them, and the number of remaining block parts after the user has assembled a predetermined block object can also be automatically counted and displayed, so that the user can easily assemble the block object.

[0047] Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, these can be implemented in various other forms, and can be carried out by various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and variations, as well as those with omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1 System: 100 Server terminals, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 User terminals, NW Network

Claims

1. A method for outputting a design drawing of an assembleable block object composed of a plurality of types of block parts, the method being executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a user terminal via a network, the method comprising: The processing unit of the server terminal Obtaining information about block parts from the user terminal; determining one or more composable block objects based on information about the block parts; displaying design information of the block object and information about the block parts; and upon determining the plurality of composable block objects, displaying information about the plurality of composable block objects.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information about the block parts includes information about a number of block parts.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising accepting a request to update the design drawing information from the user terminal, and updating the design drawing information.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the updating of the design drawing information comprises updating the block object to design drawing information in a completed state.

5. A program for causing a computer to output a design drawing of an assembleable block object composed of multiple types of block parts, comprising: Get information about block parts, determining one or more composable block objects based on information about the block parts; displaying design information of the block object and information about the block parts; when the plurality of assembler block objects are determined, information regarding the plurality of assembler block objects is displayed.

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